These are Manzana de Agua or Water Apples
This is my awesome counterpart and myself before the high school senior dinner.
Dinner in Tortuguero at Patty & Tony's house: Homeade Guac & fresh pineapple
Donna in Tortuguero
Donna & Jeff in Tortuguero. That's the Tortuguero National Park behind us right before sunset.
Jeff at sunset with the canal in the background
My fellow Peace Corps Volunteers! Love them
Patty & Donna chatting as usual
Hanging out on the beach in Tortuguero
Woah. I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I last updated my blog... Here’s what’s been going on:
- I completed the CAT (Community Assessment Tool). Well, I completed the first draft.
- The U.S. military came to this area of Costa Rica to do some humanitarian work. I introduced myself to a few marines helping rebuild part of Bribri’s Cencenai (child nutrition center). It’s curious our military was here. There were mixed reactions from my community. Some appreciated all the gifts, medical attention, and volunteer work. Others were skeptical of why the US military was really here. Costa Rica does not have military and is quite against it. So, many don’t think so highly of “war people” coming in to their space.
- We had our In Service Training at the end of August. It was fabulous. Peace Corps got a really good deal with the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Jose and we were able to stay there for the entire week. It was great seeing all my fellow volunteers I came in with (Tico 20) and share experiences, hear stories, and catch up. It was the first time we’d all seen eachother since swear in in May. Loved the nice beds, hot water, food, hot tub, and gym!
- I moved out of my host family’s house and into my own place at the very end of August. SWEET! I got special permission to move out early due to my living situation and level of integration. I feel grateful to have my own space in the center of town for a good price. I eat my meals at my counterpart’s house so I get a good balance of family life and living on my own.
- My camera got stolen from my room (when I was living with my host family) so I am sad I can’t capture a lot of cool moments with my camera and share with you .
- My boyfriend Jeff came to visit for 10 days in September. Awesome! He got to see my site, how I live, and what I do everyday. We hiked with some friends from my community to see the waterfalls in the mountains (just an hour’s walk from my town). We went to Manzanillo, a nearby beach. And we went to visit some volunteers serving in Tortuguero. We had to take a 3 hr boat ride to get there. Absolutely beautiful. Saw crocs, all kinds of birds, caymans, monkeys, sloths, giant SEA TURTLES, baby sea turtles running for their lives to the sea. Also learned about the flip side of tourism in Tortuguero and issues the children and families live with.
- September 15th is Costa Rican Independence Day. Bribri and surrounding towns had a parade in Bribri. Fun times.
- The water still goes out a lot, but at on a more regular schedule: 7pm to 6am.
- I wash my clothes by hand in the pila now that I live on my own. Good time to reflect, work out the arms, and have me time.
- I’ve started working out in the mornings with a few teens in my community. I am introducing yoga to them. They think it’s pretty funny, but try it out with me...and I think they just might like it. :)
- Finally started a few projects in the community: La Bandera Azul is a project already in place at the schools on a national level -- the principal asked me to work with the kids on presenting a play, art, and poetry with a Global Warming theme. Turned out wonderfully.
- I noticed most of the kids at the school had a cold and sniffles and were walking around with a small towell to wipe their noses or using their hands. Then, I ended up with a cold (a pretty nasty one).... which leads me to the next project! Celebrating Global Handwashing Day on October 15th!!!!!!
- I started a series of workshops Peace Corps Costa Rica has called Voces Valerosas. It’s designed for female teens. Love it.
- Will start an English class soon at the school and with adults.
- Working on an activity center for the high school... a much bigger, long term project that will require the community to dedicate to it. We’ll see how it goes.
Overall, I’m feeling more motivated, integrated, and settled. Looking forward to two of my friends coming to visit me in November. I will be hosting a trainee from the new wave of volunteers PC is bringing in October. I joined a committee and will be helping out with some sessions at the pre service training for trainees in October and November.
Oh, and I am coming to the States in December!!!!!! Texas here I come.
Friends, thank you soooooo much for the care packages you’ve been sending me. I feel grateful and get super excited when I open up a package. I have the cards and notes you send me hanging up in my room.
Hugs to all! Love you!
Pura Vida
Donna:
ReplyDeleteI am COO of Water Charity, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that does water, sanitation, and public health projects worldwide. In July, 2009, we started our Appropriate Projects initiative to fund small water and sanitation projects very quickly. Applicants are limited to Peace Corps Volunteers, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and Peace Corps Response Volunteers.
I am a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Bolivia ’66-’68), and am well aware of the difficulties Volunteers face in the field. Appropriate Projects is an addition to our regular Water Charity model that is allowing us to provide project resources to PCVs in the field immediately.
Often there is that little project that must be done now (before the rains start, before school begins, or in response to a critical need), but there are no funds available. Traditional funding sources are cumbersome, and there are long forms, detailed requirements, limited resources, and long delays.
PCVs working in water and sanitation usually have potential projects lined up. For those working in other program areas, there may be water components to their projects, or improvements needed where they work or teach.
Sample projects may be: rainwater or spring catchments, handwashing stations, water systems, piping, tanks, pumps, latrines, wells, etc.
We like to do the water and sanitation parts of projects for schools, clinics, and community centers. So, if you can get funding for the building and other stuff, we can help with things like the water supply, filters, sinks, plumbing, and drainage.
We like to finish projects that have been started, and fix things that have ceased to function.
We encourage follow-up projects that expand upon the successful completion of the first small project.
If you have a project in mind, please fill out the application form. We want this to be easy for you, so we have developed a simple form that you can fill out in one sitting.
If you have any questions about the appropriateness of your project, or you need some time to get it together, just let us know.
We pre-fund projects, so you don’t have to wait around for donations to roll in.
If you do not have a project that qualifies, please pass this message on to your fellow Volunteers who may have an interest. Finally, if this initiative resonates with you, please let others know what we are doing through your social networks, websites, and blogs.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Averill Strasser
Appropriate Projects
http://appropriateprojects.com
Water Charity
http://watercharity.org